CATHARSIS is a non-canon OC fate/series site, loosely based off of fate/apocrypha. Knowledge of the fate/series canon is helpful, but knowledge of fate/apocrypha isn't needed!
The morning was quiet, surprisingly so considering the events of the day previous. The light of the freshly risen sun caused the water of the lake to dance with flashes and sparkles. Wind gently caressed the open field and caused the grass to sway as though bowing. And there in the grass, the only thing unmoved by the wind's passage, and elderly man sat cross legged with his head bowed and his eyes closed.
If one watched him they would have thought him to be as quiet and gentle as the scene around him. Unless they had seen it beforehand, no one would have guess that this man had less than a day before been covered in blood and slaughtering his enemies left and right.
Berserker's brow furrowed. The images of yesterday were still fresh in his mind, but they were constantly being blended with visions of thousands of years ago, of places hot and dry and drenched in the blood of the people of Canaan.
Flesh rent. Bones shattered. Blood soaked into the ground, a sacrifice of 99 lives to the Lord. Ninety souls, and yet nine more, condemned to Sheol for the crime of opposing the Lord's chosen warrior, never again to see the glorious face of the One who was their beginning and end...
Exhaling a raspy breath, Berserker raised his face, his eyes still closed. How long would God allow his torment to continue? How long until the doubt, the guilt, the pain that assaulted his mind would be allowed to lift? Faced raised, he offered a wordless, thoughtless prayer.
He faced the familiar sight from the banks of the lake in garments and clothes he did not know. He knew this light. He'd seen it flood the tilled farms of his master's and meet the sweat from his labour. Beyond the farming village of his childhood and servitude, he saw it once more rolling on the distance, to which he had embedded much hope and zeal at that time. Tomorrow was one step ahead closer to the future. The future of becoming a general.
He saw it eat through the stairs of corpses across the battlefield, accompany the hundred thousands of armies marching to new lands, and then, at last, stand as canopy over his home with his children's voices ringing like songs that uplifted the rest of his days - until he was gone, far above the heavens.
What was this light now? Xin glared against its rays though they did not seem to reach his eyes at all.
A bottle of liquor hang on a rope straddled on his shoulder, but he had no intention of drowning his problems. Xin walked until he came across the first person he'd seen outside of the Ygddmilenia shrine.
"A Servant?" It was hard to sense. There was too much "magic" going on in this area. He didn't look like the part though. Zheng was fifty when he died but he wasn't an old man like this one.
Xin observed the man from behind, waiting to see if there were going to be an opportunity to talk with him, or if he were too busy meditating. He looked pretty troubled.
Despite his apparent distraction, Berserker was not completely unaware of his surroundings. While it was true he did not qualify for any skills such as Eye of the Mind, no warrior would ever find himself completely inattentive on the field of battle, even in a seeming calm like this.
Thankfully, the one approaching now seemed to harbor no ill intent. However, the fact that he was so out of the way meant that someone else coming near still deserved attention.
His eyes opened to the sunlight and craned his head around to face the oncoming figure, displaying flexibility one of his apparent age usually wouldn't possess. Feeling his meditation had reached its natural conclusion in any case, Berserker arose, dusted himself off, and walked towards the stranger, a gentle smile on his face. If nothing else, he was thankful for the distraction that another soul could provide him.
Post by General Li Xin on Aug 4, 2014 15:29:16 GMT
"Ah! He's moving." Surprisingly fast, too. It was not the first elderly man Xin had seen moving in a seemingly fit and perfect health, but a Heroic Spirit was clearly on another new level. He might looked like a nice old man, but Xin could feel a really strong presence from this guy. Xin cracked a wide grin.
"Yo. Sorry if I bothered you. Was just talking a walk."
But sorry or not, Xin was glad he bothered him. No one could possibly be expecting to meet a Servant just like this. But here it was and what an opportunity it is. He was eager to talk, to learn, to fight if that were even possible. But first he would listen, observe, and see where things would go. What was he doing here? Where more of Zheng's allies around?
Yehoshu'a- he had calmed his mind enough to start thinking of himself by that name again- smiled and shook his head. He mumbled something that was fairly unintelligible, which was good because if it were intelligible it would have been meaningless in the situation. But regardless the whole exercise of motion and sound seemed to indicate that no, he had not been bothered by the interruption.
The informality of the man's speech perhaps left something to be desired, but nothing could be said against his friendliness. Yehoshu'a stepped to the side and motioned with his arms, indicating that the man should continue along his walk and that he would follow. As he did so, another rambling fell from his mouth, this time just understandable and at least somewhat applicable.
"The morning sings praise, and the wind and water offer psalms to He who reigns..."
Xin crossed his arms and raised both eyebrows, briefly bewildered by the old man's mumbling and gestures. Though not the kind of respond he was expecting, Xin thought nothing of it, simply assuming it was a quirky trait of sort of the old man. He nodded, paying close attention, but was unable to say more besides a respectful "Ah."
Actual words came out next but they somehow made even less sense. Xin assumed he was referring to walking. He followed the man's arms motioning to the road and fell into an awkward silence. Xin scratched the back of his head, thinking of what to say.
"Yeah, it's a really beautiful morning," Xin said in an attempt to keep the conversation going. Or to make sense out of it. That's what the old man meant, right?
Xin was not looking forward having to dance around like this, so though it might come off as rude, he was going to go straight to the point.
"Well anyway, what are you doing out here, old man? You're one of Zhe - er, those Servants, right?"
Yehoshu'a nodded, glad at least that his general point had made it across. He was somewhat surprised at being identified as a Servant, as he had not sensed a similar presence from the man. This likely meant that he was one of the allied Masters, or perhaps Assassin suppressing his presence, though that was less likely given what he could remember of his fellow Servants.
"Joyous are we, to be fastened to the yoke of heaven."
Confound it that was irritating. He immediately regretted risking another utterance. He enjoyed a good psalm as much as the next Israelite warrior (which is to say, a fair deal), but even the most devout understood that speaking in them all day and night was simply not feasible for conducting a conversation.
Nevertheless, he would not allow this burden to dampen his mood. At the very least he had reasonably amiable company, and beautiful scenery to continue walking amongst.
Post by General Li Xin on Aug 12, 2014 3:49:49 GMT
Xin's grin popped out of his face again. That was easier to understand.
"You talk really weird, old man!" Xin laughed, unfolding his arms and placing his hands on his waists. "Yeah. Morning's great."
Xin looked toward the rays of sun and shaded his eyes with a saluting hand on his brows. Joyous, eh? He wasn't so sure about that. He didn't quite get what the gods were thinking pulling a reincarnation of sort on Xin.
He looked at the old man. How was this guy taking it? Obviously, asking him directly was not the way to go about it. Xin cracked another grin.
"You wanna spar? Oh." Xin had just realized the old man had no weapons on his arsenal. Carrying them had been so natural it was a given for every man to carry one. "Heh. Guess not. That's too bad. I'm really good with the sword!" He flashed the old man with a green-clothed, sheathed sword as if its existence was testament to his ability.
For the first time in the course of the conversation, it was Yehoshu'a's turn to be surprised. This man who had not the presence of a Servant had challenged him despite knowing him as one. Any normal human who understood the Holy Grail War would see this as the height of foolishness.
And yet... it was in battle that he felt the most clear. And if he could keep enough control to avoid any serious injury...
Yehoshu'a stopped in his walk, concentrating for a moment. In a flash, the comfortable clothing that he had been wearing was replaced with the battered and worn armour that he had been summoned in. He smiled, assuming that in lieu of a spoken word, this would be sufficient answer to the man's request.
Post by General Li Xin on Aug 17, 2014 23:20:50 GMT
Though unreal, Xin have already accepted the magical nature of his existence and the secret world he woke in. But as expected, seeing it in action was more impressive than being told.
"Woah!" The old man's clothes changed in a blink of the eye. He was outfitted with armour and Xin took interest at the state it was in. It wasn't sturdy, shiny, or new. It was worn out and battered, an armour that had seen through many gruesome battles. He liked the old man's style. He looked like he had an amazing story to tell.
"That sure is something, old man! Wish I can do something like that though it must be kinda weird too, haha!" Xin had to manually change clothes into the modern clothes he was wearing now. It would be convenient if he could change into his armour too in an instant. Oh well, it wasn't really a big deal.
"Hand-to-hand combat, then? I'm fine with that." Xin put down his bag and sword and carefully set aside the traditional bottle of wine. He moved west, across the old man and went into a stance.
Yehoshu'a smiled as he watched his new sparring partner get into position. Honestly he would not have minded had the man decided to use his sword; on the contrary he would have perhaps welcomed it, if only to level the playing field. Seeing that his opponent seemed to be waiting for him to start, the ancient warrior took the initiative.
He launched himself forward, not with the force of a rocket but rather with the grace of a bird taking flight. It would have been different in actual combat, but in a friendly bout against an ally (especially one he currently believed to be human) he was going to hold himself back as much as possible.
It was for this very same reason that his first attack was a tap. Not in the sense of "a light, quick attack", but literally a tap aimed at his opponents midsection. Unlike many of his allies, Yehoshu'a had no control over his Noble Phantasm; his ability to bypass any and all defenses was active whether he wanted it to be or not. Had he attacked with even half strength the results would be disastrous. Even his feather light strike would at least leave a terribly nasty bruise on a regular human, but he supposed a man who was afraid of getting roughed up wouldn't have challenged a Servant to a fight in the first place.
Post by General Li Xin on Aug 26, 2014 1:01:51 GMT
The secret ability of Xin's opponent would be found out some other time as Xin opted to dodge the first strike. He stepped his right foot forward, aligned with his left, twisting sideways and letting the punch sail past behind him. This trick didn't work as well anymore as a six feet, inch something man. The punch brushed him but Xin, instantly jumping into the action, didn't feel it.
He could have caught that punch and throw the old man on the ground. It was too easy. But he decided he was going to go easy on him. Whatever term they wanted to call Xin, Xin was sure he could still pack quite a punch. Doesn't really leave a good feeling beating up an old man.
Turning, Xin drove a fist at the old man's shoulder.
"HOORAH!"
Yehoshua (wow it's already been 5 days. I AM SLOWING DOWN FAR TOO MUCH. /has blight of the aged)
Surprise quickly flashed across Yehoshu'a's face. He'd been holding back for certain, but for his foe to dodge an attack like that, especially when he'd been focusing on speed over power, was impressive. His reflexes would have to have been at least borderline Servant-level to accomplish such a feat.
He didn't have time to dwell on the shock of this before the retaliatory strike came down. If he had suspected it before, the strength of the attack he threw proved it: this was no ordinary man. How he was on the level of a Servant without being one was a mystery that would have to be settled another time, however.
While the blow was unexpectedly strong, Yehoshu'a was much more durable than his appearance would suggest. He staggered slightly from the blow, but did not fall. Rather, her returned with his own attacks, an uppercut followed by two quick strikes, all light but at least considered legitimate attacks this time. He was still not certain of the limit of his opponent's abilities, but he was looking forward to finding them.
Yehoshu'a smiled.
"The bounty of the Lord is great, and truly his strength is sure..."
Post by General Li Xin on Aug 28, 2014 7:35:35 GMT
Xin landed his very first strike in this world. It felt exactly the same way as Xin's body instinctively remembers. That was the odd part. He knew it wasn't supposed to be the same anymore. He wasn't alive nor human yet here he was, fighting like in the good, old days.
He dodged back from the uppercut and, knowing it was an opportunity for the old man to take offence, Xin retreated to regain distance, twisting and ducking from the two strikes that followed. The blows were stronger than before. Was he testing Xin?
Xin's eyebrows rose in bemusement.
"Huh?"
The old man was smiling. Xin's mouth opened, one eyebrow going down.
"Ha?"
And saying random crap Xin didn't understand again.
"Ah, whatever. Hey, old man! You tryin' to test how strong I am? That means you're hiding your real strength from me, am I right? And there's something more about you than meets the eye too." Xin cracked his knuckles. "I'll show you what I can do then, old man. Be sure to dodge this if you think your bones are gonna break. Hahaha!"
Without any sort of grace in his form, Xin charged with his right fist ready at his right, letting loose a battle cry as he unleashed it at the old man's chest.
Yehoshu'a didn't have any worries about breaking bones. All the same, he'd felt the force of the man's last attack, and so this time he took the offensive he was on now much more seriously. As he approached, Yehoshu'a slipped gracefully to the side so that the attack would sail right past him.
He knew a follow up strike could still be forthcoming, so and also knew that fighting on the defensive was not his strong suit. Thus instead of retreating he pushed forward. Another set of light blows, these ones aimed first at the shoulder of his opponent's outstretched arm, the next at his elbow, and the final one at his side. Yehoshu'a could only hope that he'd regulated the strength of his strikes enough to keep them from crippling his enemy permanently.
"Praise the Lord, O my soul, for truly his blessings fall upon us!"
